NWS zone AMZ452 · South Atlantic

Coastal waters from Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine FL out 20 NM fishing forecast

Florida · Atlantic coast

Score now

84Great

Atlantic tarpon · 10:00 PM EDT

Named spots: 22
Species scored: 29
Tide stations: 6

Open in the tide map All Florida bay systems

Overview

Coastal waters from Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine FL out 20 NM is NWS marine zone AMZ452 on the Florida Atlantic coast, in the South Atlantic species region. The Waterlands engine treats it as open coast, near shore. It holds 22 named features from the USGS Geographic Names Information System and has 6 NOAA tide stations nearby.

29 species are scored here in this forecast; Atlantic tarpon, Red drum, Atlantic croaker, Gray snapper and Crevalle jack are at peak season now.

At 10:00 PM it scores 84 (great), led by Atlantic tarpon. The best window for the rest of today is 10-11 PM (ebb tide), peaking at 84 for Atlantic tarpon. Over the next 14 days the best hour is Mon, Sep 21 at 9 AM, scoring 86.

Best times to fish

Waterlands engine forecast computed 10:05 PM EDT.

Best window today

10-11 PM · Ebb tide

Top species: Atlantic tarpon

84Great

Best hour of each day, next 14 days

Mon, Sep 21
86
9 AM
Atlantic tarpon
Best day
Tue, Sep 22
85
10 PM
Atlantic tarpon
Wed, Sep 23
83
11 PM
Atlantic tarpon
Thu, Sep 24
81
12 AM
Atlantic tarpon
Fri, Sep 25
81
8 AM
Atlantic croaker
Sat, Sep 26
82
1 AM
Atlantic tarpon
Sun, Sep 27
84
7 PM
Red drum
Mon, Sep 28
83
7 AM
Atlantic croaker
Tue, Sep 29
83
7 PM
Atlantic croaker
Wed, Sep 30
83
5 PM
Atlantic croaker
Thu, Oct 1
81
8 AM
Atlantic croaker
Fri, Oct 2
82
9 AM
Atlantic croaker
Sat, Oct 3
83
7 AM
Atlantic croaker
Sun, Oct 4
84
8 AM
Atlantic croaker

Species · 29

Listed for the South Atlantic region. Scores are this hour; season is where the species is in its year.

84Great

Atlantic tarponMegalops atlanticus · inshore

Peak season, about 1 more week · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 9 AM (86)

peak

81Great

Red drumSciaenops ocellatus · inshore

Peak season, about 9 more weeks · Best day Sun, Sep 27 at 7 PM (84)

peak

79Great

Atlantic croakerMicropogonias undulatus · inshore

Peak season, about 5 more weeks · Best day Sun, Oct 4 at 8 AM (84)

peak

78Great

Gray snapperLutjanus griseus · nearshore

Peak season, about 1 more week · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 8 AM (79)

peak

75Great

Crevalle jackCaranx hippos · nearshore

Peak season, about 4 more weeks · Best day Tue, Sep 22 at 9 AM (83)

peak

75Great

Southern flounderParalichthys lethostigma · bottom

Peak season, about 8 more weeks · Best day Sun, Oct 4 at 7 AM (80)

peak

75Great

SpotLeiostomus xanthurus · inshore

Peak season, about 5 more weeks · Best day Sat, Oct 3 at 7 AM (79)

peak

73Great

Summer flounderParalichthys dentatus · bottom

Peak season, about 5 more weeks · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 9 AM (78)

peak

72Great

Spotted seatroutCynoscion nebulosus · inshore

Peak season, about 9 more weeks · Best day Sun, Sep 27 at 7 PM (79)

peak

70Great

King mackerelScomberomorus cavalla · pelagic

Peak season, about 5 more weeks · Best day Wed, Sep 30 at 5 PM (80)

peak

67Great

WeakfishCynoscion regalis · inshore

Shoulder season, about 1 more week · Best day Sun, Oct 4 at 8 AM (73)

shoulder

66Great

Spanish mackerelScomberomorus maculatus · nearshore

Shoulder season, about 5 more weeks · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 9 AM (73)

shoulder

65Great

Black drumPogonias cromis · inshore

Shoulder season, about 18 more weeks · Best day Sat, Oct 3 at 7 AM (70)

shoulder

62Good

Black sea bassCentropristis striata · nearshore

Shoulder season, about 1 more week · Best day Sat, Oct 3 at 7 AM (70)

shoulder

60Good

Red snapperLutjanus campechanus · offshore

Shoulder season, about 31 more weeks · Best day Tue, Sep 22 at 9 AM (64)

shoulder

59Good

CobiaRachycentron canadum · nearshore

Shoulder season, about 1 more week · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 8 AM (63)

shoulder

59Good

Little tunnyEuthynnus alletteratus · pelagic

Shoulder season, about 1 more week · Best day Sat, Oct 3 at 7 AM (70)

shoulder

58Good

Greater amberjackSeriola dumerili · offshore

Shoulder season, about 9 more weeks · Best day Tue, Sep 22 at 9 AM (63)

shoulder

57Good

Florida pompanoTrachinotus carolinus · surf

Shoulder season, about 1 more week · Best day Sun, Sep 27 at 7 AM (77)

shoulder

57Good

Gray triggerfishBalistes capriscus · offshore

Shoulder season, about 5 more weeks · Best day Mon, Sep 28 at 7 AM (65)

shoulder

57Good

Red grouperEpinephelus morio · offshore

Shoulder season, about 5 more weeks · Best day Tue, Sep 22 at 9 AM (64)

shoulder

57Good

SheepsheadArchosargus probatocephalus · inshore

Shoulder season, about 18 more weeks · Best day Mon, Sep 28 at 7 AM (63)

shoulder

48Good

Mahi-mahiCoryphaena hippurus · pelagic

Shoulder season, about 1 more week · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 9 AM (54)

shoulder

45Good

WahooAcanthocybium solandri · pelagic

Shoulder season, about 1 more week · Best day Wed, Sep 30 at 5 PM (58)

shoulder

35Fair

BluefishPomatomus saltatrix · nearshore

Off season, about 1 more week · Best day Sat, Oct 3 at 7 AM (62)

off

35Fair

SailfishIstiophorus platypterus · pelagic

Off season, about 5 more weeks · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 12 AM (35)

off

35Fair

Yellowfin tunaThunnus albacares · pelagic

Off season, about 5 more weeks · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 12 AM (35)

off

20Poor

Gag grouperMycteroperca microlepis · offshore

Shoulder season, about 5 more weeks · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 12 AM (20)

shoulder

No score

Striped bassMorone saxatilis · sea-run

Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 12 AM (35)

Named spots · 22

Ranked by score this hour. Each spot has its own hourly forecast, tide, current and regulations.

10 more spots, A to Z

Nearest tide stations

Mayport (Bar Pilots Dock)NOAA 872021810.1 mi Dames PointNOAA 872021913.3 mi Southbank Riverwalk, St Johns RiverNOAA 872022616.3 mi I-295 Buckman BridgeNOAA 872035718 mi Fernandina BeachNOAA 872003029.1 mi Kings Bay MSF PierNOAA 867959836.6 mi

Regulations

FWC saltwater regulations Buy a Florida fishing license License types

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Synced with FWC Sep 21, 2026. Rules shown verified Sep 13, 2026.

This bay system’s spots fall in Atlantic (22 spots), Northeast (red drum) (22 spots), Northeast (snook) (22 spots) and Northeast (seatrout) (22 spots).

Atlantic state waters (Nassau through Miami-Dade counties) · FWC

Atlantic croakerRetention open

50 per day

Season: No closed season on file

50 per person per species. No minimum size. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Spot and Atlantic croaker · verified Sep 13, 2026

BluefishRetention open

3 per day · Minimum 12 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

Hook and line, spears, gigs, seine or cast net.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Bluefish · verified Sep 13, 2026

Gag grouperClosed

No retention

Season: Aug 2 to Dec 31, 2026

FWC closed Atlantic gag grouper, including all state waters off Monroe County, for the rest of the 2026 season (Executive Order 26-10). The 2027 season has not been announced.

FWC news release, May 13, 2026: Atlantic gag grouper closes August 2 (EO 26-10) · verified Sep 13, 2026

Gray triggerfishRetention open

10 per day · Minimum 12 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

Private-vessel anglers need the State Reef Fish Angler designation. Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. Reef fish gear rules apply. Land with head and fins intact. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Gray Triggerfish · verified Sep 13, 2026

Greater amberjackRetention open

1 per day · Minimum 28 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

Changes to closed on Apr 1, 2027

Private-vessel anglers need the State Reef Fish Angler designation. Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. Reef fish gear rules apply. Land with head and fins intact. Open January through March and May through December. Closed in April.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Amberjack · verified Sep 13, 2026

King mackerelRetention open

2 per day · Minimum 24 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

Hook and line and spearing only. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: King Mackerel · verified Sep 13, 2026

Mahi-mahiRetention open

5 per day · Minimum 20 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

Captain and crew may not keep a bag limit. Private boats: 5 per person or 30 per vessel, whichever is less. For-hire vessels: 5 per paying customer; no 30-fish cap. Hook and line or spearing.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Dolphinfish/Mahi-Mahi · verified Sep 13, 2026

Red grouperRetention open

3 per day (3 Atlantic grouper and tilefish combined) · Minimum 20 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Changes to closed on Jan 1, 2027

Private-vessel anglers need the State Reef Fish Angler designation. Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. No more than 3 grouper and tilefish combined per person per day. Reef fish gear rules apply. Land with head and fins intact. Open May 1 through December 31. Closed January 1 through April 30.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Groupers · verified Sep 13, 2026

SpotRetention open

50 per day

Season: No closed season on file

50 per person per species. No minimum size. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Spot and Atlantic croaker · verified Sep 13, 2026

Check regulations No reviewed rule on file for Red snapper. Check with FWC.

Red Drum Northeast Region · FWC

Red drumRetention open

1 per day · Slot 18 to 27 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Must stay whole until landed ashore. For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit. Volusia County waters south of Lytle Avenue/South Causeway in New Smyrna Beach, including Mosquito Lagoon, are in the Indian River Lagoon region, where red drum is catch-and-release only. Hook and line or cast net only. No spearing, gigging, bowfishing, snatch hooking, or multiple hooks with natural bait. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Red Drum (Redfish) · verified Sep 13, 2026

Spotted Seatrout Northeast Region · FWC

Spotted seatroutRetention open

3 per day · Slot 15 to 19 in, total length. May not possess fish larger than 19 inches total length.

Season: No closed season on file

Must stay whole until landed ashore. For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit. Volusia County waters south of Lytle Avenue/South Causeway in New Smyrna Beach, including Mosquito Lagoon, are in the Indian River Lagoon region: 2 fish, closed November and December. Hook and line or cast net only. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Open year-round. Regional rules apply in inland, state and adjacent federal waters. New regional rules took effect April 1, 2026.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Spotted Seatrout · verified Sep 13, 2026

Statewide

Black drumRetention open

5 per day · Slot 14 to 24 in, total length. One fish over 24 inches allowed, counted in the bag limit.

Season: No closed season on file

Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. Hook and line, cast net, seine, spear or gig. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Black Drum · verified Sep 13, 2026

CobiaRetention open

1 per day · Minimum 36 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

1 per person or 2 per vessel, whichever is less. Spears, gigs, hook and line, seine or cast net.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Cobia · verified Sep 13, 2026

Crevalle jackRetention open

Season: No closed season on file

Two fish or 100 pounds per person per day, whichever is more. Crevalle jack is an unregulated species with this default limit. Hook and line, spears, gigs, haul seines and cast nets.

FWC Recreational Regulations: "Unregulated" Species · verified Sep 13, 2026

Florida pompanoRetention open

6 per day · Minimum 11 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. Hook and line, cast net, and beach or haul seine only. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Open year-round in state and federal waters.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Permit, Florida pompano and African pompano · verified Sep 13, 2026

Gray snapperRetention open

5 per day (10 snapper combined) · Minimum 10 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Open year-round in Gulf and Atlantic state waters. Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. Counts toward the 10-snapper aggregate per person per day. Reef fish gear rules apply. Land with head and fins intact. Federal waters have a 12-inch minimum and a 10-fish bag.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Snappers · verified Sep 13, 2026

SailfishRetention open

1 per day (1 billfish combined) · Minimum 63 in, lower jaw fork length

Season: No closed season on file

Report landed billfish to NOAA within 24 hours. A federal HMS Angling Permit is needed in federal waters, not in state waters. Sailfish you plan to release may not be removed from the water in federal waters, or in state waters if you hold an HMS permit. 1 billfish per person per day. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Billfish, Tuna, and Swordfish · verified Sep 13, 2026

SheepsheadRetention open

8 per day · Minimum 12 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

State rules extend into federal waters. Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. Hook and line, cast net, seine, spear or gig. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Open year-round. A 50-fish vessel limit applies in March and April.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Sheepshead · verified Sep 13, 2026

Southern flounderRetention open

5 per day · Minimum 14 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Changes to closed on Oct 15, 2026

Same rules for Gulf, southern, summer and fringed flounder, in state and federal waters. Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. Spears, gigs, hook and line, seine or cast net. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Closed every October 15 through November 30.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Flounder · verified Sep 13, 2026

Spanish mackerelRetention open

15 per day · Minimum 12 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

Beach or haul seine, cast net, hook and line, or spear. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Spanish Mackerel · verified Sep 13, 2026

Summer flounderRetention open

5 per day · Minimum 14 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Changes to closed on Oct 15, 2026

FWC Recreational Regulations: Flounder · verified Sep 13, 2026

TarponCatch & release

No retention

Season: No closed season on file

Tarpon over 40 inches must stay in the water. Special gear rules apply year-round in Boca Grande Pass. Hook and line only. No snagging, snatch hooking, spearing, or multiple hooks with natural bait. Applies in state and federal waters of the Gulf and Atlantic.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Tarpon · verified Sep 13, 2026

WahooRetention open

2 per day

Season: No closed season on file

No minimum size. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Wahoo · verified Sep 13, 2026

Overview

Best times to fish

Species · 29

Named spots · 22

Nearest tide stations

Regulations

Other Florida bay systems